55 sightings of missing Croydon 12-year-old

Tia, who has not gone missing before, was last seen leaving her grandmother’s home in New Addington, south east London, at around midday on Friday.

She told relatives she was going to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon town centre.

On Monday afternoon her uncle David Sharp made an emotional public appeal urging her to return home and emphasising she was not in any trouble. He also called on anyone else who might know where Tia is to come forwards.

Detectives say that they have yet to confirm the 55 reported sightings of Tia. Officers have been examining CCTV for clues about her location, and Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola released a CCTV image of Tia taken the day before she went missing in a Co-op store in New Addington. Tia was wearing similar clothes to when she was last seen by her grandmother’s partner.

Purported sightings

Earlier DCI Scola had told the press: “at this time we have found no trace of Tia on the footage examined thus far, but this is an ongoing process which will take time,” he said.

“We have spoken to Tia’s family and some of her friends, and Tia has never gone missing before and it is extremely out of character for her not to return home or contact her friends or family.

He appealed for information and said he was particularly keen to hear from anyone in The Lindens area of New Addington who had information.

“There has been a lot of activity on Twitter from Tia’s friends and, whilst we would want to ensure that images of Tia and details of her disappearance are spread far and wide, we would urge people using social media to include the Incident Room number rather than their personal numbers,” DCI Scola added.

Tia did not have her young person’s travel card with her but some bus and tram drivers let children travel without one.

Appeal

DCI Scola said: “I am appealing for any bus or tram drivers in the Croydon area who recognise Tia’s description to contact us.

“Of course if Tia herself is able to contact her family or the police, we urge her to do so.”

Tia is white, 4ft 5in and slim, and was wearing FCUK glasses.

She was dressed in a yellow bandeau top over a white bra with visible cross straps, light grey leopard print leggings and black and pink Nike high top trainers.

Police believe Tia had a small amount of cash with her, but no travel card and she did not have her mobile phone.

In the past Tia has often visited the Croydon, Mitcham and Wimbledon areas.